NYMTA
The New York MTA on Dec. 17 announced the advancement of $1.75 billion in key transit projects for the agency that will modernize the subway system, funded by revenue generated by congestion pricing.
The MTA Board approved a design-build contract to modernize subway signals on the A and C lines in Brooklyn and Queens, moving forward on one of the most significant upgrades to service quality and reliability in the system, the agency noted. The MTA Board also approved accessibility upgrades to five subway stations, including the major complex at 42 St-Bryant Park, which serves 111,000 daily riders on the 7, B, D, F and M lines.
The project, MTA says, will bring Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) to the Fulton Street Line in Brooklyn and the Liberty Avenue Line in Queens between Jay Street-MetroTech and Ozone Park-Lefferts Blvd stations, replacing century-old legacy signal systems that date back to the line’s opening in 1936. It will also repair and replace switches, install upgraded tunnel lighting and run cabling to support the deployment of cellular service through the tunnels.
When this project is completed, more than 600,000 daily riders across the A and C trains will see “substantial upgrades to reliability, faster travel speeds, and better service,” MTA said, Previous CBTC installations on the 7, L and Queens Boulevard (E, F, M, R) lines have yielded significant improvements to on-time performance and train speed increases of up to 10%, all while upgrading operations and safety systems, according to the agency.
The Fulton and Liberty Line signal modernization project is further evidence of the effectiveness of the MTA’s new CBTC-centric approach, which streamlines project delivery while maintaining the highest technical standards, the agency noted. CBTC-centric projects are now more than 33% cheaper per mile than prior projects, “a major breakthrough as the MTA continues its ambitious plans to modernize signals throughout the system.” Further funding from congestion pricing will go towards upgrading the signals on the 6th Avenue Line carrying the B, D, F and M, while the 2025-29 MTA Capital Plan includes CBTC upgrades on eight lines and more than 75 miles of track.
The project, the agency says, also reflects the MTA’s success in expanding competition in a highly specialized market. Three bidders competed for the contract, a result of targeted efforts to bring more firms into signal modernization work—helping control costs while ensuring quality.
The project is being delivered as a bundle of two different subway segments. The Fulton Street Line, running from Jay Street-MetroTech in Brooklyn Heights to Euclid Avenue in East New York, is funded as part of the MTA’s 2020-24 Capital Plan and is made possible by Congestion Relief Zone revenues. The Liberty Street Line, running from Euclid Avenue to Ozone Park-Lefferts Boulevard in Ozone Park, is funded as part of the 2025-29 Capital Plan.
This project advances as the MTA adds more R211 subway cars to the A and C lines. All R211 come equipped with technology that, the agency says, “seamlessly integrates with CBTC signals, leading to a better overall commute for millions of daily riders—including more reliable service, fewer delays, more frequent trains and less waiting.”
Two contracts were also awarded today to deliver accessibility upgrades to five more subway stations, “continuing the MTA’s rapid pace to make the system more accessible,” according to the agency.
This includes ADA Package 9 at three stations in Queens and Brooklyn:
- Parsons Blvd (F)
- Briarwood (E, F)
- Gates Avenue (J, Z)
The other package will make the Bryant Park-5 Av Complex in Manhattan fully accessible:
- Bryant Park-42 St (B, D, F, M)
- 5 Av (7)
These five stations, MTA says, mark continued progress toward a more accessible transit system, bringing the total number of ADA-accessible stations awarded this year to seven. They are part of the 23 stations that will ultimately be made accessible thanks to Congestion Relief revenues.
SkyTrain
Traction power equipment replacements are under way to maintain safe and reliable SkyTrain operations across Metro Vancouver, following a combined investment of more than $20.2 million from the federal government and TransLink.
The Expo and Millennium SkyTrain lines extend approximately 60 kilometers (37.3 miles) and include more than 35 stations. The operations of these lines are supported by a traction power network consisting of substations, electrical cabling, and power rails. As part of TransLink’s Traction Power System Replacement project, 11 substations have been identified as containing equipment that is more than 30 years old and no longer within the recommended service life.
In this phase of the project, the electrical switchgear at four substations, Waterfront, Broadway, Nanaimo, and Joyce, will be replaced and a pad mounted transformer will be installed at Columbia Transfer, between Columbia Station and the Columbia Substation.
As this critical infrastructure ages, these upgrades, the Canadian government says, “are essential for addressing electrical safety issues, maintaining a state of good repair, and ensuring the continued and uninterrupted operation of the Expo and Millennium Lines. They will also support future service growth and fleet expansion across the SkyTrain network.”
“Modern, reliable transit infrastructure is essential to keeping Metro Vancouverites moving and supporting the region’s long-term growth. This investment supports critical power system upgrades across the SkyTrain network, enhancing service reliability and meeting future transit needs,” said Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Gregor Robertson.
“These are the kinds of behind-the-scenes upgrades that are critical to ensuring we have the power to keep SkyTrain running smoothly for years to come. We look forward to the federal government’s continued investments in transit infrastructure, and further clarity on the Canada Public Transit Fund, to drive our regional and national economy,” said TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn.
KC Streetcar
The KC Streetcar Riverfront Extension reached a major milestone this week as a streetcar officially rolled onto the newly constructed tracks that lead from the River Market to the Riverfront, stopping at the newly build Riverfront Streetcar Stop.
The first “live wire” test took place on Wednesday, Dec. 17, marking the first time the system was energized and the first time a streetcar has ever traveled to the Riverfront in Kansas City’s history.
“After years of planning, design, and construction we’re thrilled to see the first streetcar reach the riverfront,” said Tom Gerend, Executive Director, KC Streetcar Authority. “We are one step closer to realizing our vision of a connected and vibrant riverfront that will serve all of Kansas City for decades to come.”
Ahead of Wednesday’s live wire test, crews conducted “dead wire” testing with a specially built clearance cart, designed by the Riverfront Extension construction team. This clearance cart was used to verify that the streetcar can safely travel on the tracks and pass surrounding and adjacent structures and track elements.
Testing will continue for the next couple of months. The current phase, called Systems Integrated Testing (SIT), is expected to continue into early 2026, weather permitting. The following phase, Pre-Revenue Operations (PRO), will focus on operator training, safety drills, and real-world service simulations.
During all phases of testing, vehicular and pedestrian traffic may experience minor delays with the possibility of the closure of Grand Boulevard between 3rd Street and the Riverfront for safety precautions.
While testing continues, crews are completing key finishing touches, including:
- Installing communications, train signals, and traffic signals.
- Completing shelters and station stops.
- Restoring sidewalks and curbs in Berkley Riverfront.
- Final concrete and cleanup of the new two-way cycle track.
- Clearing laydown yards at Berkley Riverfront, 3rd Street, and Grand Boulevard.
The KC Streetcar Riverfront Extension remains on schedule to be completed in early 2026. Once open, the 0.7-mile extension will connect riders from UMKC to the heart of Berkley Riverfront, a five-minute walk to CPKC Stadium.
